Too shocked by this turn of events, she simply smiled and nodded as they each came and filed out. Some made small talk, others were quick about it. Zahira and Verity remained with her for most of the day. Both Elders seemed highly amused at her plight, but they were not as shocked as she. They explained it was because Vivienne had proved herself worthy of the title of alpha bitch by fighting and defeating Samia. Still confused, Zahira had grinned and explained that while Conall was alpha and responsible for the entire pack, the female who wore the title of alpha bitch was similarly responsible for the female pack members. She led and they followed. Vivienne was sure there were still things she did not understand, but had been grateful when evening rolled around, and every other female left.
She headed upstairs to the bathroom and quickly showered, washing her hair in the process. As she stood under the cool, calming spray, she thought of her family.
They’d returned to Westchester, since there was no need for the safe house. As Nicolette had promised, Evelyn had been waiting for them when Sloan drove up to her family home. Even her father was there. Cassie had explained when she’d awoken that Charles had been sent to another safe house before she and Evelyn were attacked. There had been tearful hugs and kisses, and an awkward moment between her father and Conall, with her father trying to intimidate a man who was hundreds of years older, and she didn’t even want to contemplate how many times stronger. Vivienne laughed at the memory. Her father had been fine with Conall the human, but ever since Evelyn had let him in on the secret of the different species, and that Conall was one of them, of the shape-shifting variety, he’d turned into an I’m-gonna-clean-my-gun-and-tell-you-about-my-collection-of-silver-bullets type of dad.
Conall hadn’t seemed afraid for one moment, but he’d humored her father, which only made her love him more. All in all, her father seemed to like him. Vivienne had even seen a smile from Charles when he thought no one was looking.
A slight sound pulled her from her thoughts. Someone had entered the bathroom. Instantly, she tensed, the darkness within her surging instantly. Moments later, she picked up on a scent. Clean, male, and hers.
Conall.
Large hands closed around her middle, and a familiar body pressed up against hers.
Easy, alainn.
It took her druid a few moments to retreat, to realize that Vivienne’s terror was uncalled for.
He nudged at her neck comfortingly before placing soft kisses along her shoulder. The water was growing chilled, and Conall reached out turned the knob for more heat. Vivienne’s breathing gradually evened, but she remained tense.
Relax, alainn. No one will take you from me again.
With one hand securing and comforting her, he used the other to get her body-wash. Splashing a generous amount into his hand, he put it back on the shelf and began lathering her. His fingers moved over her breasts, lathering them longer than necessary, before he brought them to her neck, her shoulders, the indentation of her back, her buttocks.
“Conall?” Her voice was calm, relaxed.
Yes, alainn?
“You’ve been massaging my butt for almost five minutes now.” Amused, she turned her head to smile at him.
Is that so, alainn?
“Yes, it is,” she returned with an exaggerated sigh. “You’ve neglected my legs, and my arms—”
He leaned close to whisper directly into her ear, “There is little tension there, Vivienne.”
The water was hot. Conall was hot. And yet, she shivered.
“Where do I have tension?” she asked, feeling her throat go dry.
His hands squeezed at her ass once more, and she bit her lip and braced her palms against the shower tiles. The action had only enhanced the other type of wetness between her thighs.
“Here….” She resisted the urge to scream as his hands traveled up her back to her shoulders, and then settled over her breasts. Looking down, she marveled at how perfectly she fit the size of his hands. He squeezed gently, and then harder, tweaking at her nipples. She whimpered. “Definitely here….” His hands left her slick flesh, and she was turning to face him when they slid around her hips, to the tops of her thighs.
“Do I have tension there too?” she asked breathlessly.
Not yet, alainn.
It was a delicious promise, one to which she’d intended a reply. Conall’s hands robbed her of her speech, however, when they moved between her legs.
She moaned loudly.
“You carry most of your tension here,” he growled low in her ear. He cupped her tightly, and she breathed hard, gyrating against his hand. She could feel his large, bobbing erection at her bottom and wished he would dip lower and let it between her lips.